6. All-Star Superman
The plot is of All Star Superman almost irrelevant; in the act of saving a scientific expedition to the surface of the Sun, Superman exposes himself to a lethal dose of solar radiation. The twelve issues of this series border on the mythical. It explores not only Clarkes relationship with Lois but his relationship to death, death of his adopted father, the death of his planet of birth and charts Supermans quest to leave mankind able to protect itself when hes finally gone. It explores the reality of a man we all thought invincible facing his inherent doom and the sacrifices he makes for humanity. Superman is more than a mere superhero; hes the Alpha, the first amongst many. Hes every mythic god youve ever read about. The pathos, the emotion and the pure love that emanates from this book transcends storytelling. It celebrates him as a man, a god, a scientist and a humanist. All-Star Superman gives us all a shining example of what it means to be godly, of the ultimate potential of the human being. Through Superman we see the rich tapestry of the human condition exalted and purified; ironic considering that Superman is essentially an alien pretending to be a human, and a superhero pretending to be an ordinary man. All Star Superman is absolutely gorgeous to look at. Frank Quitelys art sets it above the normal comic fare, transcending the medium. There is no better penciller working today in comics than Glaswegian Frank Quitely. All Star Superman utilises a cutting edge digital inking process by Jamie Grant (working out of Glasgows Hope Street studios) that lends the comic a classic palette, rounding off the sense of majesty and grandeur.